VICAR’S LETTER
My dear friends,
You will have gathered, from other articles in this magazine that I am very
interested in the past history of Bream, as well as in the present, and so
it was with much interest and gratitude that I received from Mr Will Smith
now of St Brlavels, formerly of Bream, an old book with articles in it which
were written by the Revd. Corneilus Witherby, who was the second vicar of Bream.
He was responsible for the building of the Boys’ School as we know it
today—at that time the only school in the village. He left Bream in 1869
to go to Bristol, and there was a small debt still outstanding in connection
with this building. He did not wish his successor, the Reverend John Gosling,
to start at a disadvantage, and so he wrote a serial story for the S. P. C.
K., which they published monthly in a church paper, and the proceeds were used
to clear the debt as long ago as 1871. It was a story of the people of Bream
of that time and earlier, and the names are disguised, as a good number of
the characters were real people and ancestors of people who live in Bream today.
Though it is all eighty years ago, there is no doubt that the same characteristics
live on in a village community anywhere and I have ventured to quote a part
of the book, which some readers may find amusing. This refers to the church
as it was many years ago, before the organ was built, when the choir and orchestra
occupied a gallery at the back of the church, near the present belfry.
I am not quite sure at what date this balcony was removed. There was no organ
till 1861, and I think probably it was at the time of the Rev'd Cornelius Witherby’s
restoration of the church, when the nave was lengthened, that the balcony had
to come to an end.
In those days the orchestra included Pastor Kear (Bass viol), William Cullis
and Samuel Haywood(clarinet) John Webb (flute) Thomas Ames (bassoon) and William
Webb (conductor).
I hope to quote again from this book on other occasions.
Meanwhile, the postponement of the carnival has meant that this issue of the
magazine had to be postponed as well so I am sorry it must reach you rather
late. We now look forward to our sunday school outing to Barry Island, and
hope we shall have a fine day for it and a happy day for the children.
All good wishes.
Yours sincerely in Our Lord,
CHARLES VERNON, Vicar.
CHURCH FETE AND CARNIVAL
I Was very disappointed that this function was not able to be held on July
15th, owing to the heavy rain; the more so as every part of the village had
done wonders in decorating vans, set prices and groups, and individual items.
It. was generally agreed that this would have been the best carnival for years.
However, it. was decided to try again, and on the 22nd a second attempt was
made, the tent erected in the field, and everything got ready. Alas, it rained
again harder than ever, so we had transport all the entries, and as many spectators
as poossible into the Boys School.
The judges had a difficult task and we are very grateful to Mrs. Carson, Mrs.
David. O’Driscoll and Dr. Michael O'Driscoll fbr their successful efforts
in this matter.
As the paper goes to press it is too early to know what financial result would
be, but we are very grateful to the ladies who served the teas and ran the
stalls, and to all who contributed their time and money to bring in some profits
where there might otherwise have been a loss.
In spite of the difficulty of appearing in a schoolroom instead of in the open
air, the competitors for the carnival competition showed many bright and original
costumes, and it was evident that they had worked very hard to achieve these
result.
Prizewinners Were a follows:-—
Decorated Vehicles:
1. The Tufts and New Road.
2. High St. and Lydney Lane
Woodside
Mill Hill.
Adult Groups:
1. The Tufts and New Road.
2 High St. and Lydney Lane.
Children’s Group:
1. John and Donald Treherne
2. Lilian and David Haynes.
3. Norman and Graham Watkins.
Beryl, Christine and Valerie Watkins.
Young Individual Children:
1. Maureen Legge
Mary White
John Preest
Older Children:
1. Jennifer Tye.
2. Anita Wintle.
Marlene James.
Decorated Cycle:
1. Laurie Thomas,
2. Sheila. Robins.
Decorated Pram:
Denise James.
" A PRIMITIVE SUNDAY"
(.Extract. from a book published in 1871—see the vicar's letter).
The Chapel was a strange little building, consisting of a nave and porch and
the smallest of chancels.It contained huge pews for the local gentry. and the
poor folk sought accommodation on benches behind them.
Along the western wall ran a gallery, some six foot above the floor. This was
the Domain of the singers. With this even Parson Evans had nothing to do, The
singers were as distinct from the congregation as the parson was. Would they
think of telling him what to preach, or what text to choose? Then no more ought
he to tell them what to sing!
And very well they could sing, heartily if a little coarsely. For the voices
of miners as is well—known, are usually good and musical, and it was
so in the Forest.
But there was confusion among them today. Parson Evans had ended his part with
the Litany, and yielded the service to the officials at the opposite end. Up
stood Job Ward and said: “Let us praise God by singing the "133rd
psalm." Upon which Joseph Gwatkin exclaimed, " No ‘taint.” Job
Ward repeated “ The 133rd psalm” and gave out the first verse:
How vast must their advantage be,
How great their pleasure prove,
Who live like brethren and agree
In offices of love.
When again Joseph Gwatkin oracularly uttered —’’No ‘taint.”
“Then what is it?’ said Job tauntingly. for he knew what was coming.
What is it, eh?"
‘Tis the anthem day, Joby Ward. Thou dost know it is."
"Oh, anthem day, is it? Then we be going to sing the 133rd psalm, Joey Gwatkin,
for all thy anthem day. Now then. Ralph." And forthwith the instrumentalists
struck up the tune, and the congregation stood up. But Joseph Gwatkin took up
his hat, and with a surly yet humorous grin, walked down the stairs and out of
the church.
From this it will be seen that there was discord among the humorists. Joseph
and others were ambitious to introduce something more florid in place of his
psalms - an innovation that the rest strenuously resented. So a compromise
was effected. One sunday in the month an anthem should be sung; on two others,
the old system should he continued, and the little scene just related, was
owing to the business of the numerically stronger party, who had broken the
agreement.
The squire and his family, Parson Evans, and the congregation listened to the
dispute with shame and amusement combined, but when the psalm was finally sung,
the parson, like the wise man that he was, proceeded with the service.
FROM THE PARISH REGISTER
Holy Baptism
July 2.—Robert Malcolm Worgan. New Road.
" 16—John Charles Brookbanks, Prior’s Lodge.
" 23.—Ronald John Phillips, 39, Parkend Road.
Holy Marriage
July 22.—-Frederick Hubert Jarrett Liddington and Eileen Wintour (Brockhollands).
Holy Burial
July 2.—Walter John Martin, 50. Parkend Road.
" 4.—Ann Elizabeth Baldwin, Coleford.
" 16 —William Lucas. Coleford Road, Bream.:
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